Cost Controller

Job Description Cost Controller — 2 Year Fixed-Term Contract (Confidential Client) Location: Perth, Western Australia (office base) with extended site presence in regional Western AustraliaContract length: Two years Rate: 700–1,000 per dayStart: 2-4 weeks First job of the Hero contractor programme into Cost Control. After a record breaking year at Professional Search Group, the Hero programme in Accounting & Finance has now expanded into the area of cost control. A leading international engineering, procurement and construction management contractor will be delivering a major brownfield infrastructure project in Western Australia. They are seeking an experienced Cost Control on a two year contract to lead cost control and reporting activities for the project finance and commercial team. Why this role is interesting Work on a large, technically complex project with multi-discipline interfaces and strong executive sponsorship. Genuine ownership of cost reporting, forecasting and change management across the project lifecycle. Hybrid role with a Perth office base and regular site visits (rotational site blocks possible). Opportunity to influence commercial decision making and earn a competitive contractor rate. Key responsibilities Own monthly cost reporting and forecasting for assigned project workstreams, ensuring timely, accurate and auditable position statements. Maintain and reconcile the cost baseline to actuals; identify drivers of variance and deliver clear corrective actions. Prepare and present cost-to-complete and earned value metrics to project leadership and client stakeholders. Manage and control project commitments and procurements — validate cost estimates, purchase orders and subcontractor claims. Lead change management for scope and contract variations: assess cost impact, prepare commercial change packages and support approvals. Partner with project controls, planning, procurement and commercial teams to ensure integrated schedule-cost control. Implement and improve cost control tools, templates and processes; train site and project personnel in consistent cost behaviours. Support audits and assurance activities, ensuring documentary evidence for all cost movements and adjustments. Deliverables / Key performance indicators Monthly cost report delivered within 5 working days of month end, with variance analysis and corrective actions. Accurate cost-to-complete forecasts within agreed tolerance levels. Clear register of open variations and claims with resolution plan and owner. Successful reconciliation between financial ledger and project cost control system monthly. Reduction in unexplained cost variances over first six months. Selection criteria — what we are looking for Minimum five years of hands-on cost control or project commercial experience on large engineering construction projects (desirable experience on mining or processing plants). Proven experience preparing cost-to-complete, earned value analysis and month-end reconciliations on projects valued above AUD 100 million. Strong commercial acumen with experience assessing variations, claims and subcontractor commercial performance. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (including pivot tables, lookups, modelling); experience with enterprise cost systems such as SAP4HANA Excellent communication skills with ability to present concise commercial positions to senior stakeholders. Ability to work autonomously on-site and in an office environment, managing competing priorities across multiple workstreams. Tertiary qualification in accounting, finance, engineering or equivalent commercial discipline preferred. Professional accounting qualification or project controls accreditation is an advantage. Australian right to work or appropriate visa for the duration of the contract. Personal attributes Meticulous and process-oriented, with a focus on auditability and traceability. Pragmatic problem solver who can translate numbers into commercial decisions. Collaborative team player who builds strong relationships with planning, procurement and commercial teams. Comfortable with short-notice site travel and occasional extended on-site rotations. What the client offers Competitive day rate and travel allowances for site blocks. Comprehensive site induction, safety training and support from a mature project controls function. A high-visibility role with opportunities for extension or further project placements depending on performance and business needs. Stephen's Heroes: Want to be part of an elite candidate pool representing the top 1% of the immediately available market?Keen to help 'save' any business at a moments notice? Reach out to Stephen Lutman (ACMA, CGMA) "Recruiting finance professionals at speed - Backed by CIMA qualified experience" #SCR-stephen-lutman